Bosso midfielder yearns for another glory

Highlanders midfield prodigy, Charles Sibanda

HIGHLANDERS attacking midfielder, Charles Sibanda insists he will do everything in his power to help his team win this year’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title which has eluded the club for the past seven years. The 29-year-old lanky left-footed player who won the 2010 Soccer Star of the year award with the now defunct Motor Action — who were also crowned champions that same year joined Highlanders this year from FC Platinum where he spent three years.

While still at FC Platinum in 2011, fate could not have scripted a more cruel role for Sibanda, when he came closest to end his second championship medal quest only for his team to let Dynamos take the Premiership title under their grasp. With two games before the end of the 2011 campaign, FC Platinum were on 55 points from 28 matches while Dynamos were trailing behind on 52 points with the same number of games played.

That meant FC Platinum could have been crowned champions of Zimbabwean football in their maiden season in the top flight league had they beaten Dynamos in their penultimate game against the Harare giants at Mandava stadium in Zvishavane. But Dynamos dispatched the miners 1-0 through an own goal by Daniel Vheremu in the 66th minute to see Dynamos go top of the league , courtesy of superior goal difference.

A 2-0 win over Kiglon in the final game of the season was enough for the Glamour Boys to win the 2011 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League while FC Platinum ended the season as bridesmaids despite beating Shooting Stars 3-1 that same day.  In recent weeks, Highlanders endured a tumultuous period as results were not coming their way but Sibanda still believes he can inspire the team and lift the ultimate prize.
Sibanda, who seem revitalised at Bosso, has set an impressive scoring record.

Currently, he is the country’s leading goal scorer with 12 league goals to his name, his best return since 2010 when he scored eight goals for Motor Action. He has been instrumental in Highlanders’ push for the title and has been named the league player of the month for June, July and August for his efforts. “I have always wanted to win a second league championship medal and at Highlanders this year I have that opportunity,” said Sibanda.

He added: “That will however be very difficult, but I really do think this time around it’s achievable and I will be the happiest person. “
Highlanders are on 39 points on the log table from 22 matches, three points behind champions Dynamos. The race for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship is stiff this year as ZPC Kariba and Caps United are on 38 points, four points behind Dembare with eight games to play before the end of the season. Hwange are on position five with 34 points, just eight behind the champions.

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